LFS Offers Free Tutoring to First and Second Year Undergraduate Students

In early 2012, our Student Services team partnered with the LFS Learning Centre to offer free tutoring sessions in chemistry, physics and math for first and second year undergraduate students.

The sessions, led by tutors from UBC’s Alma Mater Society (AMS), are held in the MCML Learning Commons (MCML 360) from 3pm-5pm on Wednesdays during the school year. They are deliberately scheduled to take place before the LFS Wed Night BBQ, so the students can participate in the Faculty’s weekly communal dinner.

“We felt that offering free tutoring to our first year students would give them another way to engage with our Faculty,” said Lynn Newman, Assistant Dean, Students, adding that the sessions are not just for those who are struggling. “We’ve had many students attend who are just looking to improve on an already good foundation.”

LFS is currently the only Faculty that offers AMS tutoring.

“Other tutoring sessions on campus, such as the Chapman Learning Commons, aren’t centrally located for our students, so having this service available in Macmillan is really beneficial,” said Lomas. “And unlike other tutoring sessions which are for students from all disciplines, our sessions are specifically tailored to LFS students.”

Lomas added that the response has been great and the number of student tutors has been doubled in order to meet demand.

More than 100 students took advantage of the service during the first term alone, including GRS student Samantha Saddler, who sought help with Chemistry.

“The tutors helped me understand the material better,” said Saddler. “They were really helpful and enthusiastic and the sessions allowed me to set aside time in my hectic schedule to work on the subject.”